Philippians 3:2-6 Putting Confidence in the Flesh

Philippians 3:2-6

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

How does putting confidence in the flesh reveal itself?

What may have been Paul's thorn in the flesh?

Resources:

Thorn in the Flesh

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/spiritual_warfare_19_thorn_in_flesh.mp3 3:2-6

Who Is Our Authority?

 

Who is the authority in a Christian's life?

Do we have to be under the authority of a pastor?

Who has the authority to interpret the scriptures?

Is the church God gave us a specific religious organization?

What is a reason we have so many religious denominations?

What does it mean to "Let Go and Let God?" 

Resources:

The Need for Good Teaching 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/galatians_40_the_need_for_good_teaching_6_3_18.mp3

Mark 7:8-9 Holding On To Human Traditions

 

Mark 7:8-9

"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"

What human traditions was Jesus criticizing?

Does His criticism apply to celebrating Christmas?

Resources:

Let's talk Christmas with Chaplain Kevin Betton

https://www.youtube.com/live/r7ET5L0V6oI?si=rj73BaZRWF-z4AHf

Christmas isn't pagan and here's why

https://youtu.be/5zcaQlBbk6s?si=1v5A1btFOEjB8UnG

Galatians 5:19-21 The Truth About the Works of the Flesh

 

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Is Paul warning Christians that they could lose their salvation in this passage?

What is it that Christians try to do that leads to the works of the flesh revealing themselves?

Resources:

Works of the Law
https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/galatians_37_works_of_the_law_5_19_21.mp3

What Is An Imitator Of God?

 Ephesians 5:1-2

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Does imitating God mean overcoming sin to become more like Christ?

How does Jesus' relationship to the Father teach us how to imitate God?

Resources:

Walking in Love 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/ephesians_079_5_1_2_walking_in_love.mp3

How Do I Know If I Am Saved?

The answer to the question, "How do I know that I am saved?" can take many forms depending on who you ask. Unfortunately, the most common answers are thinly veiled attempts to put the person under some form of law. An analysis of one Christian's response to this question illustrates what I mean.

What is the truth about sanctification?

Is holiness a lifelong pursuit?

Are Christians perfect?

Does God discipline us when we sin?

Resources:

Sanctification 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/sanctification_ext.mp3

Why Forgiveness Is Important 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/hebrews_40_ch10_11_27_why_forgiveness_is_important.mp3

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thankful In All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. How can we be thankful in all circumstances when not all circumstances are good? How does misunderstanding this passage lead to people using platitudes and misrepresenting God? Do the surrounding verses give us a clue regarding what it means to always give thanks? Resources: Your Identity in Christ https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/identity.htm Thankful https://96tolife.blogspot.com/search?q=Thankful&m=1

Being Loved By God

 1 John 4:19

"We love Him because He first loved us." 

Do you have to love God first?

Is freedom a replacement for Jesus Christ?

What causes fear of God?

Resources:

The Disciples Did Not Yet Love Jesus

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/gospel_of_john_082_14_21_31_disciples_did_not_yet_love_jesus_ext.mp3

1 Corinthians 10:13 The Way Of Escape

 

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

What are the ways we are taught to avoid giving in to temptation?

Are the solutions given the best way to avoid sinning?

Resources:

Overcoming Sin

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/overcoming_sin.htm

It Is Okay To Just Be Yourself!

 

Have you ever been encouraged to do the following?

Pray like Nehemiah

Obey like Daniel

Lead like Moses

Serve like Martha

Believe like Mary

Fight like David

Educate like Paul

Build like Noah

Love like Jesus

Is it a good thing to want to be like other Bible characters?

Do you want the faith of others or one of your own?

Resources: 

Be Like

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/2021/03/be-like.html?m=1

Galatians 1:6-10 Are You Seeking The Approval Of Man?

 Galatians 1:6-10

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

What does Paul mean by seeking the approval of man?

How do we define the different Gospel mentioned in Galatians 1:6?

Are you being a servant of Christ?

Resources:

Persuading God

https://www.livinggodministrles.net/living god ministries/radio_archive/audiofiles/galatians 07 persuading god 1.10.mp3

1 Peter 3:18-22 Are We Saved Through Water?

 

1 Peter 3:18-22 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, 19 in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built, In the ark, a few people, only eight souls, were SAVED THROUGH WATER 21. And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also NOT THE REMOVAL OF DIRT FROM THE BODY, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God-THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. Does this passage of scripture prove that we are saved through water baptism? How does understanding Peter's beliefs about Gentiles affect how he viewed water baptism? When discussing Noah's Flood, what aspect of water is not discussed? Resources: The Baptism of Peter

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living god ministries/radio_archive/audiofiles/baptism 11 24kbps baptism of peter.mp3

Romans 1:18-20 Why Do People Deny The Existence Of God?

 

Romans 1:18-20
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

Do unbelievers care about evidence supporting the existence of God?

What does God think about the evidence for His existence that He has supplied?

Resources:

Existence of God 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/romans_13_existence_of_god_1_18_20.mp3